Compounds for the treatment of premature ejaculation

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations comprising said compounds  
                 
 
     useful for the treatment of premature ejaculation, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorders.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority from provisionalapplication U.S. S No. 60/411,663 filed Sep. 18, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to cyclopentylindole derivativesand pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives useful forthe treatment of various psychiatric disorders and prematureejaculation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective forthe treatment of mental depression and have been reported to be usefulfor treating chronic pain. See R. W. Fuller, Pharmacologic Modificationof Serotonergic Function: Drugs for the Study and Treatment ofPsychiatric and Other Disorders,” J. Clin. Psychiatry, 47:4 (Suppl.)April 1986, pp. 4-8 and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Editedby J P Feighner and W F Boyer, Chichester, England. John Wiley & Sons,1991, pp 89-108. SSRI's have also demonstrated efficacy for thetreatment of anxiety disorders. More recently, SSRI's have demonstratedefficacy in the treatment of premature ejaculation. See Kim and Paick,Short-term Analysis of the Effects of As Needed Use of Sertraline at 5pm for the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation, Urology 54:544-547(1999); Kim and Paick, Self Therapy with Sertraline given PRN at 5 pm intreatment of Premature Ejaculation, Journal of Urology 54:544-547(1998); McMahon and Touma, Treatment of Premature Ejaculation withParoxetine Hydrochloride As Needed: 2 Single-Blind Placebo ControlledCrossover Studies Journal of Urology 161:1826-1830 (1999); Haensal etal., Clomipramine and sexual function in men with premature ejaculationand controls Journal of Urology 158:1310-1315 (1998); and McMahon andTouma, Treatment of Premature Ejaculation with Paraoxetine HydrochlorideInternational Journal Impotence Research 11:241-246 (1999).

[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,768, C₅₋₇cycloalkyl indole derivatives,more particularly examples of substituted indol-3-yl cyclohexyl amineswere disclosed for the treatment of headache. See also U.S. Pat. No.5,583,149. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,767 C₅₋₇cycloalkyl indole derivatives,more particularly examples of substituted indol-3-yl cyclohexyl amineswere disclosed for the treatment of depression. See also U.S. Pat. No.5,607,961. None of said patents discloses use of said derivatives forthe treatment of premature ejaculation. Moreover, none of said patentsgenerically or specifically disclose 1,2-cyclopentyl substitutions.Thus, novel SSRI's effective for the treatment of premature ejaculationand other disorders would be greatly advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Thus according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I)

[0006] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof

[0007] wherein

[0008] A¹ and A² are each independently C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond;

[0009] A³ is a bond, C₁₋₄alkylene or C₁₋₄alkylidene;

[0010] A⁴ is C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond and is attached to X, X¹ or X²;

[0011] X, X¹, X² and X³ are independently C or CH;

[0012] J is C₁₋₄alkyl;

[0013] p is 0 or 1;

[0014] R¹ and R² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl,—O-phenyl, —N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O—;

[0015] said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl being independently andoptionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, indolyl or halo;

[0016] wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by halo or cyano;

[0017] or are independently selected from the group of heterocyclicmoieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein saidheterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano;

[0018] or wherein -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² together with the nitrogen to whichthey are attached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl,imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl,pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl ortetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl;

[0019] R³ is H or C₁₋₄alkyl;

[0020] m is 0 or 1;

[0021] R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, cyano, halo, nitro,C₁₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃perfluoroalkyl;

[0022] wherein said R⁴ or R⁵ may be independently attached to G¹, X, X¹,X² or X³;

[0023] n is 0 or 1;

[0024] G is N, O or S;

[0025] G¹ is N, C or CH;

[0026] Y is (D)H wherein D is C; and

[0027] Z is (E)H wherein E is C;

[0028] provided that

[0029] both R⁴ and R⁵ are not attached to the same of said G¹, X, X¹, X²or X³;

[0030] if G is or S, then m is 0;

[0031] if G is N, then m is 1;

[0032] if R¹ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl being independentlyand optionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, indolyl or halo;wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by halo or cyano, then R₂is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0033] if R₂ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl being independentlyand optionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, indolyl or halo;wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by halo or cyano, then R¹is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0034] if -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² together with the nitrogen to which they areattached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl,imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl,pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl ortetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl, then p is 0;

[0035] if R¹ is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or saidheterocyclic moiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogenatom and said nitrogen atom is attached to A¹, then A¹ is C₂₋₄alkylene;

[0036] if R² is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or saidheterocyclic moiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogenatom and said nitrogen atom is attached to A², then A² is C₂₋₄alkylene;

[0037] if R¹ is N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or aheterocyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, thenR² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0038] if R² is —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or aheterocyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, thenR¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0039] if R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to G¹, then G¹ is C;

[0040] if A⁴, R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X, then X is C;

[0041] if A⁴, R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X¹, then X¹ is C;

[0042] if A⁴, R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X², then X² is C;

[0043] if R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X³, then X³ is C.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein p is 0.

[0045] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein G is N and G¹ is CH.

[0046] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein G is S and G¹ is CH.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein G is N and G¹ is N.

[0048] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein G is S and G¹ is N.

[0049] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein G is 0 and G¹ is N.

[0050] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is methyl and R² ismethyl.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is H and R² isC₃₋₆cycloalkyl wherein said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl is substituted with indolyland wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by halo or cyano.

[0052] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A¹ is a bond, R¹ is methyl,A² is a bond and R² is methyl. According to another embodiment of thefirst aspect of the present invention are provided compounds of Formula(I) according to the first embodiment of the first aspect wherein R³ isH and m is 1.

[0053] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R³ is methyl and m is 1.

[0054] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are halo.

[0055] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₃alkyl and isattached to G¹.

[0056] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₃perfluoroalkyland is attached to G¹.

[0057] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.

[0058] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is fluoro.

[0059] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is cyano.

[0060] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each fluoro.

[0061] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein the hydrogen atomattached to D is in the trans configuration to the hydrogen atomattached to E.

[0062] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein the hydrogen atomattached to D is in the cis configuration to the hydrogen atom attachedto E.

[0063] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein D in relation tothe four moieties to which it is attached has an absolute configurationof S; E in relation to the four moieties to which it is attached has anabsolute configuration of S.

[0064] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein D in relation tothe four moieties to which it is attached has an absolute configurationof S; E in relation to the four moieties to which it is attached has anabsolute configuration of R.

[0065] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein D in relation tothe four moieties to which it is attached has an absolute configurationof R; E in relation to the four moieties to which it is attached has anabsolute configuration of S.

[0066] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are compounds of Formula (I) wherein D in relation tothe four moieties to which it is attached has an absolute configurationof R; E in relation to the four moieties to which it is attached has anabsolute configuration of R.

[0067] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A³ is C₁₋₄alkylene.

[0068] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A³ is C₁₋₄alkylidene.

[0069] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A³ is methylene.

[0070] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A³ is a bond.

[0071] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A⁴ is a bond.

[0072] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A⁴ is methylene.

[0073] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A⁴ is attached X¹.

[0074] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein A⁴ is attached X.

[0075] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is attached X.

[0076] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is attached X¹.

[0077] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R⁴ is cyano or halo and nis 0.

[0078] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is independentlyselected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano; A¹ isC₁₋₄alkylene; R² is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A² is a bond.

[0079] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is independentlyselected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl,imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl,indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl; A¹ isC₁₋₄alkylene; R² is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A² is a bond.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is independentlyselected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano; A² isC₁₋₄alkylene; R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A¹ is a bond.

[0081] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is independentlyselected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl,imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl,indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl; A² isC₁₋₄alkylene; R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A¹ is a bond.

[0082] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ and R² are independentlyH, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or—N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl.

[0083] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ and R² are independentlyH, C₁₋₃alkyl, or —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl. According to another embodimentof the first aspect of the present invention are provided compounds ofFormula (I) according to the first embodiment of the first aspectwherein R¹ and R² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl,phenyl, or —O-phenyl.

[0084] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ and R² are independentlyH, C₁₋₃alkyl, or are independently selected from the group ofheterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl.

[0085] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or —N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.

[0086] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹is N(H)C(O)O—C₄alkyl.

[0087] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or —O-phenyl.

[0088] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹is selected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting ofthienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino,adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl.

[0089] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R²is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or —N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.

[0090] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R²is N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.

[0091] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R²is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or —O-phenyl.

[0092] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R²is selected from the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting ofthienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino,adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl.

[0093] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² togetherwith the nitrogen to which they are attached form pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, tetrahydroquinolinyl ortetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionally substituted with benzyl.

[0094] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of thepresent invention are provided compounds of Formula (I) according to thefirst embodiment of the first aspect wherein

[0095] A¹ and A² are each independently C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond;

[0096] A³ is C₁₋₄alkylene;

[0097] A⁴ is bond and is attached to X or X¹;

[0098] X and X¹ are each independently C or CH;

[0099] X² and X³ are each CH;

[0100] p is 0;

[0101] R¹ and R² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl,—O-phenyl, —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O—;

[0102] said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl being independently andoptionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or halo;

[0103]  or are independently selected from the group of heterocyclicmoieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein saidheterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl,C₄alkoxy or cyano;

[0104]  or wherein -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² together with the nitrogen to whichthey are attached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl,imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl,pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl ortetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl;

[0105] R³ is H or C₁₋₄alkyl;

[0106] m is 1;

[0107] R⁴ is hydrogen, cyano, halo, nitro, C₁₋₃alkyl orC₁₋₃perfluoroalkyl and is attached to X or X¹;

[0108] n is 0;

[0109] G is N;

[0110] G¹ is CH;

[0111] Y is (D)H wherein D is C; and

[0112] Z is (E)H wherein E is C;

[0113] provided that

[0114] if R¹ is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or saidheterocyclic moiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogenatom and said nitrogen atom is attached to A¹, then A¹ is C₂₋₄alkylene;

[0115] if R² is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or saidheterocyclic moiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogenatom and said nitrogen atom is attached to A², then A² is C₂₋₄alkylene;

[0116] if R¹ is N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or aheterocyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, thenR² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0117] if R² is —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or aheterocyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, thenR¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl;

[0118] if A⁴ or R⁴ are attached to X, then X is C;

[0119] if A⁴ or R⁴ are attached to X¹, then X¹ is C.

[0120] According to various embodiments of a second aspect of thepresent invention are provided pharmaceutically acceptable formulationscomprising compounds of Formula (I) as defined herein.

[0121] Disorders of particular interest include depression, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders and sexualdysfunction including (in particular) premature ejaculation. Thecompounds of the present invention may be administered alone or as partof a combination therapy.

[0122] Premature ejaculation may be defined as persistent or recurrentejaculation before, upon or shortly after penile penetration of a sexualpartner. It may also be defined as ejaculation occurring before theindividual wishes [see The Merck Manual, 16^(th) edition, p. 1576,published by Merck Research Laboratories, 1992]. Thus according tovarious embodiments of a third aspect of the present invention areprovided methods of treating conditions selected from the groupconsisting of depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substanceabuse disorders and sexual dysfunction including and in particularpremature ejaculation comprising the administration to a human in needthereof an effective amount of pharmaceutically acceptable formulationscomprising compounds of the present invention as defined herein.

[0123] Other embodiments of the present invention may comprise suitablecombinations of two or more of the embodiments and/or aspects disclosedherein.

[0124] Yet other embodiments and aspects of the invention will beapparent according to the description provided below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0125] The description of the invention herein should be construed incongruity with the laws and principals of chemical bonding. For example,it may be necessary to remove a hydrogen atom in order accommodate asubstitutent at any given location.

[0126] An embodiment or aspect which depends from another embodiment oraspect, will describe only the variables having values or provisos thatdiffer from the embodiment or aspect from which it depends.

[0127] If a variable is quantified with a value of zero, then any bondattaching said variable should no longer be represented, e.g., if n in(R³), equals 0, then the bond attaching R³ to G should no longer berepresented.

[0128] As used herein, “halo” or “halogen” includes fluoro, chloro,bromo and iodo.

[0129] As used herein, “C₁₋₄alkylene” means a one to four carbon alkanehaving one hydrogen atom removed from two different carbon atoms in saidalkane, e.g., —CH₂CH₂CH₂—.

[0130] As used herein, “C₁₋₄alkylidene” means a one to four carbonalkane having two hydrogen atoms removed from one carbon atom in saidalkane, e.g.,

[0131] As used in the embodiments and claims herein the term “bond” isused as a means of eliminating an intervening variable to allow for adirect link between the remaining variables or atoms. For example, ifwhere “A¹ and A² are each independently C₄alkylene or a bond” A¹ is abond, then R¹ is attached to N via a single bond.

[0132] It should be understood that the alternating double bonddesignations in the six-membered ring of the 5,6-membered fusedstructure represented in Formula (I) are relative and represent thedelocalized π orbital electrons of said ring.

[0133] It is to be understood that the present invention may include anyand all possible stereoisomers, geometric isomers, diastereoisomers,enantiomers, anomers and optical isomers, unless a particulardescription specifies otherwise.

[0134] The compounds of this invention may exist in the form ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts. Such salts may include addition saltswith inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric acid andsulfuric acid, and with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid,citric acid, methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, tartaric acidand maleic acid. Further, in case the compounds of this inventioncontain an acidic group, the acidic group may exist in the form ofalkali metal salts such as, for example, a potassium salt and a sodiumsalt; alkaline earth metal salts such as, for example, a magnesium saltand a calcium salt; and salts with organic bases such as atriethylammonium salt and an arginine salt. In the case of a sublingualformulation a saccharin salt or maleate salt may be of particularbenefit. The compounds of the present invention may be hydrated ornon-hydrated.

[0135] The compounds of this invention can be administered in such oraldosage forms as tablets, capsules (each of which includes sustainedrelease or timed release formulations), pills, powders, granules,elixirs, tinctures, suspensions, syrups and emulsions. The compounds ofthis invention may also be administered intravenously,intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly, all using dosageforms well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts. Thecompounds can be administered alone, but generally will be administeredwith a pharmaceutical carrier selected upon the basis of the chosenroute of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice. Compoundsof this invention can also be administered in intranasal form by topicaluse of suitable intranasal vehicles, or by transdermal routes, usingtransdermal skin patches. When compounds of this invention areadministered transdermally the dosage will be continuous throughout thedosage regimen.

[0136] The dosage and dosage regimen and scheduling of a compounds ofthe present invention must in each case be carefully adjusted, utilizingsound professional judgment and considering the age, weight andcondition of the recipient, the route of administration and the natureand extent of the disease condition. In accordance with good clinicalpractice, it is preferred to administer the instant compounds at aconcentration level which will produce effective beneficial effectswithout causing any harmful or untoward side effects.

[0137] Synthesis

[0138] Compounds of the present invention may be synthesized accordingto the general schema provided below. Variables provided in the schemabelow are defined in accordance with the description of compounds of theabove Formulae unless otherwise specified.

[0139] A preferred method for the preparation of trans-substitutedcompounds of Formula I is illustrated in Scheme 1. Appropriatelysubstituted indoles 1 are condensed in the presence of condensationcatalysts with an appropriately substituted cyclic aldehydes give thetrans-1,2-disubstituted intermediates, 2. Subsequent reductive aminationof 2 using an appropriately substituted amine in the presence of sodiumcyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, or the like, provides,after the removal of any protecting groups, the compounds of Formula I.

[0140] Racemic condensation catalysts can be used in the processdescribed in Scheme 1 to provide racemic intermediates 2, andsubsequently racemic compounds of Formula I. One skilled in the art canappreciate that single enantiomers of chiral compounds can havedifferent activities, making one enantiomer more preferred than theother. The separation of the single enantiomers of the compounds ofFormula I can be done by classical resolution methods, such asrecrystallization of the salts of the amine with chiral acids such ascamphor sulfonic acid, tartaric acid, or the like. Alternatively, thesingle enantiomers can be separated by chromatography on a chiral HPLCcolumn. In the route of Scheme 1, one skilled in the art can alsoappreciate that chiral condensation catalysts [such as those describedin: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2002), 124(11), 2458-2460;and PCT Int. Appl. (2003), WO 0347740 A2 20030612; and the like] can beused to provide intermediates 2 stereoselectively, and subsequentlysingle enantiomers of compounds of Formula I.

[0141] Another method for the preparation of trans-substituted compoundsof Formula I is illustrated in Scheme 2. An appropriately substituted,metallated indole 3, where M is a group such as B(OH)₂, Sn(n-Bu)₃,magnesium, lithium, or the like, is condensed in the presence of anappropriate catalyst with an appropriately substituted cycloalkenylcarboxylic acid ester, amide, ketone, or the like to give intermediate4. Subsequent reduction of 4 using reagents such as hydrogen overpalladium catalysts, or the like, provides the cis-disubstitutedintermediate 5. This material is hydrolyzed and equilibrated to thetrans-substituted carboxylic acid 6 using reagents such as lithiumhydroxide in solvents such as methanol and water. Acid 6 is thenconverted to the corresponding carboxaldehyde 7 by methods known tothose skilled in the art. One such method involves conversion the acidto the N-methoxy-N-methyl amide, with subsequent reduction usingreducing agents such as lithium aluminum hydride to give carboxaldehyde7. The carboxaldehyde 7 is then reductively aminated with an appropriateamine using reducing reagents such as sodium cyanoborohydride, sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride, or the like, to give, after the removal of anyprotecting groups, the compound of Formula I.

[0142] A preferred method of preparing cis-substituted compounds ofFormula I is described in Scheme 3. The intermediate cis-disubstitutedintermediate 5 is converted to the cis-carboxaldehyde 9 by methods knownto those skilled in the art. One such method involves reduction of acarboxylic ester 5 to the corresponding alcohol 8 using reducingreagents such as lithium aluminum hydride, lithium borohydride, or thelike. Oxidation of the alcohol 8 using reagents such as PCC, PDC,DMSO/oxalyl chloride, or the Dess-Martin periodinane, provides thecis-carboxaldehyde 9. The carboxaldehyde 9 is then reductively aminatedwith an appropriate amine using reducing reagents such as sodiumcyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, or the like, to give,after the removal of any protecting groups, the compound of Formula I.

[0143] Another preferred method of preparing compounds of Formula I isdescribed in Scheme 4. An appropriately substituted indolecarboxaldehyde 10 is condensed with an enolate or an enamine to give analkylidine intermediate 11. Subsequent reduction of 11 using conditionssuch as catalytic hydrogenation, provides the ketone intermediate 12.Reductive amination of 12 under standard conditions provides the aminesof Formula I.

Synthetic Methods LCMS Method

[0144] Unless otherwise noted, all products below were analyzed on aShimadzu analytical high-performance liquid chromatography systemequipped with a Micromass ESI mass spectrometer (positive ion mode).Elution was through a 3×50 mm YMC ODS-A C-18 S7 reverse phase columnusing the following gradient method: Start mobile phase composition: 10%methanol-90% water-0.1% trifluoroacetic acid; Final mobile phasecomposition: 90% methanol-10% water-0.1% trifluoroacetic acid; Gradienttime=2 min; Hold time=1 min; Flow rate=5 mL/min; Wavelength=220 nm.

Synthesis of Intermediates EXAMPLE 13-Iodo-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0145]

[0146] 5-cyanoindole (4.0 g, 28.1 mMol) was dissolved in DMF (20 mL) andpotassium hydroxide (4.74 g, 84.4 mMol) was added. The reaction wascooled in a water bath at 10° C. and iodine (7.12 g, 28.1 mMol) wasadded. After stirring for 30 min the reaction was poured into water (100mL) with sodium thiosulfate (2 g). The resulting solid5-cyano-3-iodo-lindole was collected by filtration and recrystallizedfrom ethyl acetate and hexanes.

[0147] The crystals were dissolved in acetonitrile (60 mL) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (5.64 mL, 32.3 mMol) and solidp-toluenesulfonyl chloride (6.17 g, 32.3 mMol) was added. After stirringfor 1 h, the reaction was poured into water (100 mL) and the resultingsolids were collected. The material was recrystallized from hot ethylacetate/hexanes to provide the product as white needles (7.92 g, 67%):¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.06 (1H, d, J=9.2 Hz), 7.79 (3H, m), 7.73(1H, d, J=1.5 Hz), 7.61 (1H, dd, J=8.6, 1.5 Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=8.5 Hz),2.38 (3H, s); MS m/e 454.9 (M+Na).

EXAMPLE 21-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-3-tributylstannanyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0148]

[0149] 3-Iodo-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (5.0 g,11.8 mMol) was added to a solution of bis(tributyltin) (6.27 mL, 12.4mMol) in DMF (50 mL). Triphenyl phosphine (310 mg, 0.10 mMol) andpalladium(II)acetate (133 mg, 0.59 mMol) were added and the reaction washeated to 60° C. for 40 min. The reaction was cooled in a water bath,then poured into brine (500 mL), and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50mL). The organic phase was dried with magnesium sulfate and the solventwas removed in vacuo. The reaction was purified by chromatography onsilica gel with hexanes to remove tin byproducts followed by elutionwith ethyl acetate/hexanes (8%) to give the product as an off-whitesolid (5.67 g, 82%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.02 (1H, d, J=8.6 Hz),7.75 (3H, m), 7.52 (1H, dd, J=8.6, 1.5 Hz), 7.49 (1H, s), 7.24 (2H, m),2.35 (3H, s), 1.05-1.82 (18H, m), 0.89 (9H, m); MS m/e 587.3 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 3 2-Trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic AcidEthyl Ester

[0150]

[0151] A solution of ethyl-2-oxocyclopentane-carboxylate (6.00 g, 38.4mMol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (50 mL) was treated with sodiumhydride (60% mineral oil dispersion, 1.70 g, 42.3 mMol) and stirred atambient temperature for 30 min. N-Phenyltrifluoromethanesulfonimide(15.1 g, 42.3 mMol) was added all at once, and stirring continued for 30min. The mixture was carefully quenched with water, diluted with ethylacetate, washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentratedin vacuo to a hazy oil. Silica gel flash column chromatography (10%ethyl acetate/hexanes) gave the product as a clear oil which solidifiedupon standing (9.31 g, 84%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.25 (2H, q,J=7.2 Hz), 2.71 (4H, m), 1.95 (2H, m), 1.31 (3H, J=7.2 Hz).

EXAMPLE 42-[5-Cyano-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-cyclopent-1-eneCarboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester

[0152]

[0153]1-(Toluene-4-sulfonyl)-3-tributylstannanyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(5.60 g, 9.56 mMol),2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(2.75 g, 9.56 mMol), triphenyl arsine (0.29 g, 0.96 mMol) andtris(dibenzylidenacetone)dipalladium(0) (0.44 g, 0.48 mMol) weredissolved in DMF and degassed for 5 min with a stream of nitrogen. Thereaction was heated under nitrogen at 60° C. for 5 min. The reaction waspoured into brine (500 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 mL).The organics were mixed with saturated aqueous potassium fluoride (100mL) and the resulting solids were removed by filtration through celite.The layers of the filtrate were separated and the organic layer wasdried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The solid productwas recrystallized from hot ethyl acetate/hexanes to provide the productas a white solid (3.04 g, 73%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.05 (1H, d,J=8.7 Hz), 7.87 (1H, s), 7.79 (2H, d, J=8.5 Hz), 7.71 (1H, d, J=1.2 Hz),7.53 (1H, dd, J=8.8, 1.5 Hz), 7.27 (2H, m), 4.01 (2H, q, J=6.9 Hz), 2.86(4H, m), 2.36 (3H, s), 2.03 (2H, pentet, J=7.7 Hz), 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.1Hz); MS m/e 457.0 (M+Na).

EXAMPLE 5 2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic Acid EthylEster

[0154]

[0155]2-[5-Cyano-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylicacid ethyl ester (2.0 g, 4.6 mMol) was dissolved in THF (100 mL) andsodium hydroxide (1.8 mL, 10 N, 18 mMol) was added. After refluxing for4 h, the reaction was filtered through celite and the filtrate wasevaporated. The residue was dissolved in brine (20 mL) and extractedwith ethyl acetate (3×30 mL). The combined organics were dried withmagnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The material was purified bychromatography on silica using ethyl acetate/hexanes (30-40%) as theeluent to provide the product as a white solid (1.21 g, 94%). ¹H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.59 (1H, bs), 7.93 (1H, s), 7.84 (1H, s), 7.40 (2H,s), 4.12 (2H, q, J=7.2 Hz), 3.01 (2H, m), 2.86 (2H, m), 2.02 (2H,pentet, J=7.5 Hz), 1.16 (3H, t, J=7.3 Hz); MS m/e 303.2 (M+Na).

EXAMPLE 6 cis-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic AcidEthyl Ester

[0156]

[0157] 2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid ethylester (1.20 g, 4.3 mMol) was stirred and heated slightly until dissolvedin methanol (250 mL). 10% palladium on carbon (300 mg) was added and thereaction was shaken in a Parr apparatus under hydrogen (50 psi) for 1 h.The reaction was filtered through Celite and sand, and the solvent wasevaporated in vacuo. The product was obtained as a white solid (1.08 g,89%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.31 (1H, bs), 8.00 (1H, s), 7.37 (2H,AB, v=18 Hz, J=8.4 Hz), 7.09(11H, d, J=1.5 Hz), 3.63 (2H, m), 3.48 (1H,m), 3.28 (1H, q, J=6.5 Hz), 2.00-2.22 (5H, m), 1.76 (1H, m), 0.63 (3H,t, J=6.8 Hz); MS m/e 305.2 (M+Na).

EXAMPLE 7 Mixture ofcis/trans-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic Acid MethylEster

[0158]

[0159] Sodium metal (13.5 g, 556 mMol) was carefully added portion-wiseto anhydrous methanol (400 mL). A solution ofcis-2-(5-cyanoindol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (33.1g, 117 mMol) in methanol (100 mL) was added over 5 minutes. The mixturewas heated at a gentle reflux for 18 hours, carefully quenched withwater, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved ethyl acetate(600 mL), washed with saturated sodium chloride (100 mL), dried oversodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo to give the product as an88:12 cis/trans diastereomeric mixture which was used without furtherpurification (27 g, 86%).

[0160]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.42 (1H, bs), 7.96 (1H, m), 7.38 (2H,m), 7.13 (0.88H, m), 7.09 (0.12H, m), 3.62 (2.64H, m), 3.28 (0.12H, m),3.14 (0.36H, s), 2.93 (0.88H, m), 2.28 (1H, m), 2.17 (1H, m), 1.99 (2H,m), 1.91 (2H, m), 1.80 (1H, m).

EXAMPLE 8 Enzymatic Resolution oftrans-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

[0161]

[0162] HPLC Assay Method A:

[0163] Column: YMC ODS-A (4.6×50 mm, S5). Isocratic elution with 1 mMHCl in water/MeCN (7/3) at 2 mL/min flow rate. UV monitored at 242 nm.Retention time: trans ester, 7.0 min; cis ester, 6.3 min; trans acid,2.3 min.

[0164] HPLC Assay Method B:

[0165] Column: Chiralcel OD-RH (4.5×150 mm, S5). Gradient elution at0.75 mL/min flow rate with 50 mM HClO₄ (solvent A) and MeCN (solvent B):34% B for 13 min, 34-50% B in 1 min, 50% B for 8 min, 50-34% B in 1 min.UV monitored at 242 nm. Retention time: 1S,2S-trans acid, 12.9 min;1R,2R-trans acid, 13.7 min; cis ester A, 20.1 min; cis ester B, 20.9min; 1S,2S-trans ester, 21.3 min; 1R,2R-trans ester, 22.1 min.

[0166] (1R,2R)-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentane-carboxylic Acid

[0167] Sodium phosphate buffer (5.87 liter, 0.1 M, pH 7.2 @ 25° C.) wasmaintained at 50° C. in a 12 Liter jacketed reactor and stirred (200rpm). Novozyme 435 (176 g, Novozymes North America Inc.) was added. Themethyl ester cis/trans mixture (60 g, containing 51.86 g trans methylester and 6.84 g cis methyl ester) in DMSO (1 L) was added from anaddition funnel over a period of 15 min. The suspension was stirred (200rpm) at 50° C. for 3 days. The bead was collected by filtration andwashed with 0.5 L water.

[0168] The filtrate and washes were combined and pH was adjusted to 10with 10 N NaOH. The remaining ester in the filtrate was removed by MTBEwashing (2×0.8 L). The pH of the aqueous layer was then adjusted to 2with 6 N H₂SO₄, and the filtrate was extracted with MTBE (3×2 L). TheMTBE extracts were combined, washed with water (3×0.2 L), and evaporatedto give (1R,2R)-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentane-carboxylic acidas a yellow oil (27.2 g, purity: 98.9% by HPLC method A above, 100% eeby HPLC method B above). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.40 (1H, bs), 7.98(1H, s), 7.39 (2H, m), 7.18 (1H, m), 3.62 (1H, m), 2.95 (1H, m), 2.29(1H, m), 2.20 (1H, m), 2.08 (1H, m), 1.92 (2H, m), 1.83 (1H, m).

[0169] (1S,2S)-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentane-carboxylic Acid

[0170] The ester from the above procedure was extracted from the beadwith MeOH (2×1 L) followed with MTBE (2×2 L). The MeOH extract wasevaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in MTBE (2 L) and 5%NaHCO₃ (1 L). The MTBE fractions were combined and washed with 0.1 Msodium carbonate buffer (pH 10.0, 5×0.2 L, and then with water (3×0.1L). The MTBE layer was evaporated to give a cis/trans mixture of methylesters as yellow oil (about 45 g, 78/20 trans/cis by HPLC method Aabove, (1S,2S)-trans ester: 98.8% ee by HPLC method B above).

[0171] Sodium phosphate buffer (5 L of 0.1 M, pH 7.8 @ 25° C.) wasmaintained at 50° C. in a 12 L jacketed reactor and stirred (330 rpm).Alcalase 2.4 L (1164 g, Novozymes North America Inc.) was added and pHwas adjusted to 7.4 with 10 N NaOH. The cis/trans mixture of methylesters was dissolved in DMSO (500 mL) and added from an addition funnelover a period of 30 min. Additional DMSO (500 mL) was added. Thereaction was stirred for 1.5 hr at 50° C. and 4.5 hr at 40° C. Aftercooling to room temperature (25° C.), the pH was adjusted to 10.0 with10 N NaOH. The reaction mixture was washed with MTBE (2×2 L). Theaqueous layer was then adjusted to pH 2 with 6 N HCl, and then extractedwith MTBE (3×2L). The MTBE extracts were combined, washed with water(3×0.2 L), and evaporated to give(1S,2S)-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid as lightyellow solid (21.49 g, purity: 98.8% by HPLC method A, 100% ee by HPLCmethod B).

[0172] The remaining ester was recovered by evaporation of the initialMTBE extracts. The residue was dissolved in DMSO (300 mL) and added to amixture of sodium phosphate buffer (1 L of 0.1 M, pH 7.8 @ 25° C.) andof Alcalase 2.4 L (50 mL, Novozymes North America Inc.) in a 2.8 literflask at 40° C. The flask was stirred (200 rpm) at 40° C. for 18 hour,followed by standing at 25° C. overnight. The yellow solid floating onthe reaction mixture was removed by filtration through two layers ofmilk filters. The pH was adjusted to 9.6 with 10 N NaOH, and thefiltrate was washed with MTBE (2×0.15L). The aqueous layer was adjustedto pH 2 with 6N HCl and extracted with MTBE (3×0.3 L). The MTBE extractswere combined, washed with water, and evaporated to give additional(1S,2S)-trans acid (2.27 g, purity: 99.9% by HPLC method A; 100% ee byHPLC method B). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.35 (1H, bs), 7.98 (1H, s),7.39 (2H, m), 7.18 (1H, d, J=2 Hz), 3.62 (1H, m), 2.94 (1H, m), 2.31(1H, m), 2.20 (1H, m), 2.06 (1H, m), 1.92 (2H, m), 1.81(1H, m).

[0173] The combined enzymatically resolved portions of(1S,2S)-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclo-pentane-carboxylic acid (22 g)were dissolved in 1N sodium hydroxide (500 mL) and washed with diethylether (1×100 mL). The aqueous solution was adjusted to pH<2 withconcentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (5×100mL). The combined extracts were dried over sodium sulfate andconcentrated in vacuo to give resolved(1S,2S)-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid (20.5 g).

EXAMPLE 9 trans-2-(5-Cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic AcidMethoxy-methyl-amide

[0174]

[0175] A solution ofcis-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(1.06 g, 3.75 mMol) and lithium hydroxide monohydrate (1.54 g, 37.5mMol) in ethanol (50 mL) and water (10 mL) was heated to reflux for 3 h.The solution was concentrated in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved inwater (20 mL) and HCl was added to pH<2. The reaction was extracted withethyl acetate (4×10 mL), dried with magnesium sulfate, and evaporated invacuo. The residue was suspended in methylene chloride withtriethylamine (2.62 mL, 18.8 mMol). To this was addedN,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (733 mg, 7.5 mMol) and EDChydrochloride (1.58 g, 8.26 mMol) and the reaction was stirred for 2 h.Water (20 mL) was added and the reaction was extracted with methylenechloride (10 mL). The organic layers were dried with magnesium sulfateand the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified bychromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate/hexanes (60%) to providethe product as a clear oil (460 mg, 41%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.36(1H, bs), 8.01 (1H, s), 7.28-7.41 (2H, m), 7.13 (1H, d, J=1.9 Hz), 3.74(1H, m), 3.38 (3H, s), 3.38 (1H, buried), 3.11 (3H, s), 1.84-2.32 (5H,m), 1.37 (1H, sextet, J=7.6 Hz); MS m/e 320.2 (M+Na).

EXAMPLE 10 trans-3-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0176]

[0177] Trans-2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acidmethoxy-methyl-amide (460 mg, 1.5 mMol) was dissolved in THF and cooledto −40° C. Lithium aluminum hydride (117 mg, 3.1 mMol) was added and thetemperature was maintained between −40 and −30° C. for 1 h. The reactionwas quenched with ethyl acetate (10 mL) and warmed to 0° C. The reactionwas treated dropwise with water (0.12 mL) and stirred 5 min. Then sodiumhydroxide (1N, 0.36 mL) was added and the reaction was stirred 5 min.Then a further addition of water (0.12 mL) was made and the reaction wasstirred for 20 min. The reaction was filtered through celite and sand,and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified bychromatography on silica gel with ethyl acetate/hexanes (50%) to givethe product as a clear oil (252 mg, 68%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.67(1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 8.37 (1H, brs), 7.96 (1H, s), 7.36-7.44 (2H, m), 7.14(1H, d, J=2.3 Hz), 3.60 (1H, q, J=8.5 Hz), 2.98 (1H, q of d, J=7.5, 2.7Hz), 2.30 (1H, m), 1.71-2.20 (5H, m); MS m/e 239.2 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 11 2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic AcidEthyl Ester

[0178]

[0179] A solution of 5-bromo-3-cyanoindole (4.00 g, 18.1 mMol) in THF(20 mL) was added to a suspension of potassium hydride (2.28 g, 35%mineral oil dispersion, 19.9 mMol) in anhydrous THF (50 mL) at 0° C.After stirring for 15 min, the solution was cooled to −78° C., whereuponsome precipitation occurred. A solution of n-butyllithium (2.5 M inhexanes, 16 mL) was slowly added via syringe. The resulting mixture wasstirred at −78° C. for 15 minutes and then tributylborate (9.16 g, 39.8mMol) was added. The mixture was removed from the cooling bath, stirredfor 15 minutes, carefully quenched with water, and concentrated invacuo. The residue was vigorously mixed with 1 N hydrochloric acid andextracted three times with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layers wereextracted three times with 1 N sodium hydroxide. The combined aqueousextracts were made acidic with concentrated hydrochloric acid to give3-cyano-5-indolylboronic acid as a light tan precipitate which wascollected by filtration and dried under vacuum (1.82 g, 55%). ¹H-NMR(400 MHz, DMSO) δ 12.19 (1H, br s), 6.05 (1H, d, J=5.2 Hz), 8.24 (1H, d,J=2.8 Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, 6.4 Hz), 7.69 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 7.49 (1H, d,J=8.2 Hz).

[0180] A mixture of 5-(3-cyanoindolyl)boronic acid (0.82 g, 4.4 mMol),2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(2.5 g, 8.8 mMol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.50 g,0.44 mMol), sodium bicarbonate (1.11 g, 13.2 mMol), ethylene glycoldimethyl ether (25 mL), and water (10 mL) was stirred at reflux undernitrogen for 18 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature andfiltered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue dissolved inethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate andevaporated to dryness. Silica gel flash column chromatography (50% ethylacetate/hexanes) gave the product as a brown oil which solidified uponstanding (0.97 g, 78%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.91 (1H, br s), 7.66(1H, s), 7.59 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 7.25 (2H, m), 4.12 (2H, m), 2.88 (4H,m), 2.02 (2H, m), 1.18 (3H, t, J=7 Hz).

EXAMPLE 12 cis-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic AcidEthyl Ester

[0181]

[0182] A solution of 2-(3-cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopent-1-enecarboxylicacid ethyl ester (0.97 g, 3.46 mMol) in methanol (50 mL) was treatedwith 10% palladium(0) on carbon (0.35 g) and hydrogenated at 50 psi in aParr apparatus for 22 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite® 545and concentrated in vacuo to give the product as a clear oil whichsolidified upon standing (0.95 g, 97%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.76(1H, br s), 7.65 (1H, d, J=2.0 Hz), 7.60 (1H, s), 7.25 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.18 (1H, m), 3.71 (2H, m), 3.57 (1H, m), 3.21 (1H, m), 2.16 (m,4H), 2.02 (1H, m), 1.78 (1H, m), 0.85 (3H, t, J=7.0 Hz).

EXAMPLE 13 trans-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic Acid

[0183]

[0184] A solution ofcis-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(0.95 g, 3.36 mMol), lithium hydroxide monohydrate (0.71 g, 16.8 mMol),methanol (20 mL), and water (5 mL) was heated at reflux for 6 h. Thesolution was concentrated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in waterand washed once with dichloromethane. The aqueous layer was acidifiedwith concentrated hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate(3×20 mL). The pooled organic extracts were washed once with brine,dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo to give the productas a light brown oil which solidified upon standing (0.66 g, 77%).LC-MS: 1.33 min (2 min gradient); 277.07 (MNa)⁺.

EXAMPLE 14 trans-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic AcidMethoxy-methyl-amide

[0185]

[0186] A mixture oftrans-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (0.66 g,2.60 mMol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.51 g, 5.20 mMol),1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.54 g,2.86 mMol), and dichloromethane (20 mL) was treated with triethylamine(1.05 g, 10.4 mMol) and stirred at ambient temperature for 18 h. Theresulting solution was diluted with 30 mL dichloromethane, washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, 1 M sodium hydroxide, and brine, dried over sodiumsulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product as a clearoil which was used without further purification (0.51 g, 66%). LC-MS:1.38 min (2 min gradient); 298.11 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 15 trans-5-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0187]

[0188] A solution oftrans-2-(3-cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acidmethoxy-methyl-amide (0.50 g, 1.68 mMol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran(15 mL) was cooled to −45° C. and treated with lithium aluminum hydride(0.13 g, 1.68 mMol). The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then treatedwith an additional 2 equivalents reducing agent (0.13 g, 1.68 mMol).Stirred at −45° C. for 30 min, quenched with 1M hydrochloric acid,filtered through sand and concentrated the filtrate in vacuo. Silica gelflash column chromatography (50% ethyl acetate/hexanes) gave the productas a colorless oil (0.30 g, 73%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.69 (1H, d,J=2.5 Hz), 8.73 (1H, br s), 7.67 (1H, d, J=2.5 Hz), 7.62 (1H, s), 7.36(1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.18 (1H, m), 3.44 (1H, m), 2.93 (1H, m), 2.24 (1H, m),2.05 (2H, m), 1.95 (1H, m), 1.88 (1H, m), 1.78 (1H, m).

EXAMPLE 16trans-5-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0189]

[0190] A solution oftrans-2-(3-Cyano-1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acidmethoxy-methyl-amide (0.080 g, 0.27 mMol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran(5 mL) was treated with sodium hydride (0.013 g, 1.68 mMol). The mixturewas stirred for 15 minutes and then treated with iodomethane (0.077 g,0.54 mMol). After stirring 1.5 hours, the mixture was quenched withwater and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washedwith brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated invacuo to give a hazy oil. This residue was dissolved in anhydroustetrahydrofuran (5 mL), cooled to −45° C., and treated with lithiumaluminum hydride (0.021 g, 0.54 mMol). The suspension was stirred for 2hours and then quenched in the usual manner. The resulting mixture wasfiltered over sand and concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel flash columnchromatography (50% hexanes, ethyl acetate) gave the product as a clearoil (0.064 g, 76%). LC-MS: 1.39 min (2 min gradient); 312.21 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 17 cis-5-(2-Hydroxymethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0191]

[0192] A 0° C. solution ofcis-2-(3-Cyano-1H-indol-5-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(0.90 g, 3.19 mMol) in tetrahydrofuran (40 mL) was treated with lithiumaluminum hydride (0.24 g, 6.38 mMol) and stirred for 2 h. An additional2 equivalents lithium aluminum hydride (0.24 g, 6.38 mMol) were added,and the reaction was warmed to 15° C. After 2 h at that temperature, thereaction was quenched with 1 M hydrochloric acid, stirred for 30 min,filtered through sand, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated byrotary evaporation. Silica gel flash column chromatography (50% ethylacetate/hexanes) gave the product as a white foam (0.58 g, 76%). ¹H-NMR(CDCl₃) δ 8.74 (1H, br s), 7.70 (1H, m), 7.59 (1H, s), 7.36 (1H, J=8.8Hz), 7.22 (1H, m), 3.42 (1H, m), 3.31-3.24 (2H, m), 2.80 (1H, m), 2.45(1H, m), 2.04 (1H, m), 1.96 (m, 3H), 1.75 (1H, m), 1.58 (1H, m).

EXAMPLE 18 cis-5-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0193]

[0194] A solution ofcis-5-(2-Hydroxymethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile (0.58 g,2.41 mMol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL) at 0° C. was treatedwith Dess-Martin periodinane (1.54 g, 3.62 mMol) and stirred for 2 h.The solution was warmed to ambient temperature, stirred for 18 h, washedonce with 1 M sodium hydroxide and brine, dried over sodium sulfate andevaporated to dryness. Silica gel flash column chromatography (50% ethylacetate/hexanes) gave the product as a clear oil (0.134 g, 23%). ¹H-NMR(500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.28 (1H, d, J=2.5 Hz), 8.72 (1H, br s), 7.68 (1H, d,J=2.5 Hz), 7.63 (1H, d, J=0.5 Hz), 7.34 (1H, d, 8.5 Hz), 7.16 (1H, dd,J=8.5, 1.5 Hz), 3.67 (1H, m), 3.16 (1H, m), 2.20 (m, 2H), 2.05-1.98 (3H,m), 1.80 (m, 1H). LC-MS: 1.33 min (2 min gradient); 261.26 (MNa)⁺.

EXAMPLE 19trans-3-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0195]

[0196] A solution oftrans-2-(5-Cyano-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxylic acidmethoxy-methyl-amide (0.25 g, 0.84 mMol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran(15 mL) was treated with sodium hydride (0.067 g, 1.68 mMol). Themixture was stirred for 15 minutes and then treated with iodomethane(0.36 g, 2.52 mMol). After stirring 1.5 hours, the mixture was quenchedwith water and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate,washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentratedin vacuo to give a hazy oil. This residue was dissolved in anhydroustetrahydrofuran (5 mL), cooled to −45° C., and treated with lithiumaluminum hydride (0.060 g, 1.57 mMol). The suspension was stirred for 1hour and then quenched in the usual manner. The resulting mixture wasfiltered over sand and concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel flash columnchromatography (50% hexanes, ethyl acetate) gave the product as a clearoil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.66 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 7.94 (1H, m),7.44 (1H, m), 7.42 (1H, m), 6.99 (1H, s), 3.76 (3H, s), 3.61 (1H, m),2.98 (1H, m), 2.22 (1H, m), 2.02 (2H, m), 1.98 (1H, m), 1.87 (2H, m).

EXAMPLE 20trans-3-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0197]

[0198] Trans-3-(2-Formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared in a manner similar to Example 20. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 9.65 (1H, d, J=3.2 Hz), 7.94 (1H, m), 7.41 (1H, m), 7.34 (1H, m), 7.05(1H, s), 4.12 (2H, q, J=7.6 Hz), 3.57 (1H, m), 2.95 (1H, m), 2.28 (1H,m), 2.04 (2H, m), 1.91 (1H, m), 1.82 (2H, m), 1.44 (3H, t, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE 21 3-(2-Oxo-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0199]

[0200] A solution of3-formyl-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (6.0 g, 18.5mMol) and 4-(1−cyclopentenyl)pyrrolidine (3.05 g, 22.2 mMol) in benzene(200 mL) containing p-toluenesufonic acid (100 mg) were heated to refluxwith azeotropic removal of water for 2 h. The solution was cooled andconcentrated to dryness. The residue was then dissolved in THF (100 mL)and methanol (50 mL) and 6 N HCl (100 mL) was added dropwise withstirring over 15 min. The solution was stirred for 48 h and concentratedin vacuo. The residue was dissolved in chloroform/methanol (9:1),extracted with brine (3×250 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solution wasconcentrated and the residue was purified by silica gel columnchromatography (20% ethyl acetate/hexanes-90% ethyl acetate/hexanes) togive3-(2-oxo-cyclopent-ylidenemethyl)-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(3.0 g, 42%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.07 (2H, d, J=6.4 Hz), 7.85(1H, s), 7.80 (2H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 7.61 (1H, dd, J=8.8 Hz, 1.2 Hz), 7.46(1H, t, J=2.8 Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 2.91 (2H, m), 2.47 (2H, m),2.37 (3H, s), 2.12 (2H, m); MS n/e 391 (M+H)⁺.

[0201] Water (50 mL) and sodium hydroxide (50 mL, 10 N) were added to asolution of3-(2-oxo-cyclopentylmethyl)-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(1.0 g, 2.56 mMol) in THF (200 mL), and the mixture was stirred for 16h. The reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (300 mL), quenched with1N HCl (100 mL), and then poured into a mixture of saturated aqueoussodium bicarbonate (200 mL) and brine (100 mL). The aqueous layer wasextracted with ethyl acetate (4×250 mL). The combined organic layerswere washed with brine (150 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated invacuo. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatographyusing a step gradient of 20% ethyl acetate/hexanes-85% ethylacetate/hexanes to give3-(2-oxo-cyclopentylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile as a yellowsolid (400 mg, 67%) after drying under vacuum. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆)δ 8.43 (1H, s), 7.96 (1H, m), 7.63 (2H, m), 7.55 (1H, m), 2.85 (2H, m),2.35 (2H, m), 2.00 (2H, m); LCMS (4.6×50 mm XTERRA C-18 S5 column, 5mL/min, 0-100% MeOH/H₂O/0.1% TFA, 2 min gradient): Tr=1.50 min, m/e 237(M+H)⁺.

[0202] A solution of3-(2-oxo-cyclopentylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (800 mg, 3.39mMol) in methanol (120 mL) was hydrogentated at atmospheric pressure for16 h over 10% Pd/C catalyst (300 mg). The mixture was filtered and thefiltrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silicagel chromatography (5% ethyl acetate/hexanes-80% ethyl acetate/hexanes)to give 3-(2-oxo-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (140 mg,18%). LCMS (4.6×50 mm XTERRA C-18 S5 column, 5 mL/min, 0-100%MeOH/H₂O/0.1% TFA, 2 min gradient): Tr=1.51 min, m/e 261 (M+H+Na)⁺.

EXAMPLE 22 (+/−) trans-3-(2-acetylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0203]

[0204] (+/−) Trans-3-(2-formylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(0.50 g, 2.1 mMol) at 0° C. in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) wastreated with methylmagnesium chloride (0.77 mL, 3M in THF, 2.3 mMol).The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0° C. and then quenchedwith 1 N aqueous HCl (10 mL). The solution was poured into water (20 mL)and extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The organic layer was driedwith magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The material waspartially purified by silica gel column chromatography (40% ethylacetate in hexanes) to obtain 200 mg of intermediate.

[0205] The resulting residue was dissolved in methylene chloride andcooled to 0° C. Dess-Martin periodinane (500 mg, 1.18 mMol) was addedand the reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour. The reaction waswashed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2×20 mL), dried with magnesiumsulfate and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purifiedby silica gel column chromatography (3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate) to give(+/−) trans-3-(2-acetylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (72 mg,14%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.23 (1H, brs), 7.98 (1H, s), 7.35-7.45(2H, m), 7.13 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 3.60 (1H, q, J=8.3 Hz), 3.14 (1H, q,J=7.7 Hz), 2.07 (3H, s), 1.75-2.25 (6H, m); MS m/e 275.2 (M+Na)⁺.

EXAMPLE 23 (+/−)trans-3-(2-propionylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0206]

[0207] (+/−) Trans-3-(2-formylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(0.56 g, 2.4 mMol) at 0° C. in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) wastreated with ethylmagnesium bromide (2.82 mL, 1M in THF, 2.8 mMol). Theresulting mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0° C. and then quenched with1 N aqueous HCl (5 mL). The solution was poured into water (20 mL) andextracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The organic layer was dried withmagnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The material was partiallypurified by silica gel column chromatography (40% ethyl acetate inhexanes) to obtain 200 mg of intermediate.

[0208] The resulting residue was dissolved in methylene chloride andcooled to 0° C. Dess-Martin periodinane (500 mg, 1.18 mMol) was addedand the reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour. The reaction waswashed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2×20 mL), dried with magnesiumsulfate and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purifiedby silica gel column chromatography (3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate) to give(+/−) trans-3-(2-propionylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (40 mg,6%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.31 (1H, brs), 7.96 (1H, s), 7.42 (2H,m), 7.11 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 3.60 (1H, q, J=8.0 Hz), 3.14 (1H, q, J=8.2Hz), 1.50-2.43 (8H, m), 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.6 Hz); MS m/e 267.2 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 24 Trans(1S,2S)-2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarboxaldehyde

[0209]

[0210](2S,5S)-5-Benzyl-3-methyl-2-(5-methyl-furan-2-yl)-imidazolidin-4-one wasprepared by literature methods [Journal of the American Chemical Society(2002), 124(11), 2458-2460; PCT Int. Appl. (2003), WO 0347740 A220030612]. Trifluoroacetic acid (0.63 mL, 8.2 mMol) was added withstirring to a −35° C. solution of 1-cyclopentene-1-carboxaldehyde (12 g,125 mMol) and(2S,5S)-5-benzyl-3-methyl-2-(5-methyl-furan-2-yl)-imidazolidin-4-one(2.2 g, 8.2 mMol) in dichloromethane/isopropanol (80 mL, 85/15). Afterthe resulting mixture was stirred for ˜15 min, 5-iodoindole (20 g, 82mMol) in dichloromethane/isopropanol (80 mL, 85/15) was added. Thereaction was stirred between −30° C. and −25° C. for ˜18 h. The reactionwas diluted with 400 mL of dichloromethane and washed with aqueousNaHCO₃ (400 mL), 1N HCl (2×200 mL), and brine (2×200 mL) (The aqueouslayer was re-extracted each time with 40 mL of dichloromethane and theextract was combined with organic layer). The organic layer was driedover MgSO₄ and solvent was removed under vacuum. The crude product wasthen purified by silica gel chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate(100/0 to 80/20) as the eluent to give trans(1S,2S)-2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentanecarbaldehyde (21 g, 75%,˜80% ee). This material was crystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane (12g, >98% ee). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, acetonitrile-d₃) δ 9.64 (d, 1H), 9.23 (b,1H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.27 (d, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 3.55 (m,1H), 2.94 (m, 1H), 2.12 (m, 1H), 2.1-1.7 (m, 5H); ¹³C NMR (400 MHz,acetonitrile-d₃), δ 204.2, 163.0, 130.1, 129.8, 128.1, 122.8, 117.4,114.2, 82.1, 48.5, 38.2, 34.5, 26.5, 25.0; HRMS (EI), exact mass calc'dfor C₁₄H₁₄₁N0 (M−H) 338.0042, found 338.0048.

Synthesis of Compounds of Formula I EXAMPLE 25Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0211]

[0212] Trans-3-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (200 mg,0.84 mMol) was stirred in THF (5 mL) and methanol (30 mL) withdimethylamine (0.84 mL, 2M in THF, 1.68 mMol) for 5 min. Sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (530 mg, 2.52 mMol) was added and the reaction wasstirred a further 30 min. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and theresidue was dissolved in 1N sodium hydroxide (20 mL). The reaction wasextracted with ethyl acetate (3×10 mL), dried with magnesium sulfate,and evaporated to a white powder. The material was purified byprecipitation from hot methylene chloride to provide the product (144mg, 64%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.32 (1H, brs), 8.00 (1H, s), 7.39(2H, m), 7.12 (1H, d, J=1.8 Hz), 2.90 (1H, m), 2.17 (6H, s), 2.06-2.33(5H, m), 1.66-1.90 (3H, m), 1.49 (1H, m); MS m/e 268.2 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 26Trans-3-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0213]

[0214]Trans-3-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile wasprepared in a manner similar to Example 22. The material was purified bychromatography on silica gel with a 9:1 mixture of chloroform/2M ammoniain methanol to providetrans-2-[5-cyanoindol-3-yl]-1-(N-methylaminomethyl)-cyclopentane as awhite solid (6 mg, 71%). LC-MS: 1.06 min (2 min gradient); 254.20 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 27Trans-3-(2-ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0215]

[0216] Trans-3-(2-ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared (5 mg, 56%) by the method given in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.06min (2 min gradient); 268.3 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 28Trans-3-(2-diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0217]

[0218]Trans-3-(2-diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile wasprepared (8.5 mg, 85%) by the method given in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.07min (2 min gradient); 296.3 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 29Trans-3-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0219]

[0220]Trans-3-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared (6.9 mg, 69%) by the method given in Example 22. LC-MS:1.02 min (2 min gradient); 282.3 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 30Trans-3-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0221]

[0222]Trans-3-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile wasprepared (8.7 mg, 88%) by the method given in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.02min (2 min gradient); 294.3 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 31Trans-3-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0223]

[0224]Trans-3-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared (11 mg, 95%) by the method given in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.21min (2 min gradient); 344.3 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 32Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0225]

[0226]Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared (84 mg, 61%) fromtrans-3-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile by themethod described in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.11 (2 min gradient); 282.25(MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 33Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0227]

[0228]Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilewas prepared (160 mg, 44%) fromtrans-3-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile by themethod described in Example 22. LC-MS: 1.17 (2 min gradient); 296.27(MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 34Trans-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0229]

[0230] A solution oftrans-5-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile (0.294 g, 1.23mMol), dimethylamine (2.0M in tetrahydrofuran, 3 mL) and 5 mL methanolwas treated with sodium triacetoxyborohydride (1.3 g, 6.17 mMol) andstirred at ambient temperature for 1 h. The solvent was removed in vacuoand the residue partitioned in ethyl acetate and 1 M sodium hydroxide.The aqueous layer was extracted several times with additional ethylacetate, and the pooled organic layers were dried over sodium sulfateand concentrated to dryness. Silica gel flash column chromatography (10%2M ammonia in methanol/chloroform) gave the product as a white solid(0.115 g, 35%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 12.1 (1H, br s), 8.18 (1H, s),7.46 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.42 (1H, s), 7.18 (1H, m), 3.17 (2H, m), 2.67(1H, m), 2.20-1.98 (3H, m), 2.00 (6H, m), 1.78 (1H, m), 1.72 (2H, m),1.45 (1H, m). LC-MS: 0.98 min (2 min gradient); 268.26 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 35Trans-5-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0231]

[0232]Trans-5-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile wasprepared (4.3 mg, 19%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.00min (2 min gradient); 254.20 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 36Trans-5-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0233]

[0234]Trans-5-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (11%, 42%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.02min (2 min gradient); 294.21 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 37Trans-5-(ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0235]

[0236] Trans-5-(ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (5 mg, 21%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.02min (2 min gradient); 268.16 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 38Trans-5-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0237]

[0238]Trans-5-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbo-nitrilewas prepared (8 mg, 33%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.03min (2 min gradient); 282.21 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 39Trans-5-(diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0239]

[0240] Trans-5-(diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (7 mg, 28%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.05min (2 min gradient); 296.21 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 40Trans-5-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0241]

[0242]Trans-5-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (9 mg, 33%) by the method given in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.20min (2 min gradient); 344.17 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 41Trans-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0243]

[0244]Trans-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (2 mg, 9%) fromtrans-5-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile by themethod described in Example 31. LC-MS: 1.10 (2 min gradient); 282.20(MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 42

[0245] Cis-5-(methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0246] A solution ofcis-5-(2-formyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile (0.067 g, 0.28mMol) in methanol (10 mL) was treated with methylamine (2M intetrahydrofuran, 0.7 mL) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.30 g, 1.4mMol). The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h, dilutedwith ethyl acetate, washed with 1 M sodium hydroxide and brine, driedover sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel flash columnchromatography (10% 2M ammonia in methanol/chloroform) gave the productas a clear film (15 mg, 20%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.96 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.46 (2H, m), 7.19 (1H, m), 3.40 (1H, m), 2.39 (1H, m), 2.31-2.05(5H, m), 1.98 (2H, m), 1.78 (1H, m), 1.60 (1H, m). LC-MS: 1.43 min (3min gradient); 254.24 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLE 43Cis-5-(dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile

[0247]

[0248] Cis-5-(dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrilewas prepared (34 mg, 45%) by the method given in Example 39. ¹H-NMR (500MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.90 (1H, m), 7.43 (2H, m), 7.17 (1H, m), 3.37 (1H, m),2.39 (1H, m), 2.17-2.01 (7H, m), 1.97 (4H, m), 1.82 (2H, m), 1.67 (1H,m). LC-MS: 1.40 min (3 min gradient); 268.22 (MH)⁺.

EXAMPLES 44 And 45 Chiral HPLC Resolution of(+/−)-Trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(−)(1-R,2-R)-enantiomer (Example 44) (+)(1-S,2-S)-enantiomer (Example45)

[0249]

[0250] Racemictrans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbo-nitrilewas dissolved in 2:1 hexanes/methanol and loaded on a Chiralpak ADcolumn. The mixture was separated with an isocratic system of 5% solventethanol and 95% solvent B (0.05% diethylamine in hexanes). The(−)(1-R,2-R)-enantiomer (Example 44) eluted first {[α]²⁵-187.83 (589 nm,c 0.833 mg/mL, MeOH)}. The (+)(1-S,2-S)-enantiomer (Example 45) elutedsecond {[α]²⁵+138.5 (589 nm, c 0.833 mg/mL, MeOH)}.

EXAMPLE 46 AND 47 (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrileDiastereomer A (Example 46) Diastereomer B (Example 47)

[0251]

[0252] To a solution of (+/−)trans-3-(2-acetylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbo-nitrile (72 mg, 0.29mMol) in ethanol (10 mL) was added 4A molecular sieves (100 mg), aceticacid (17 uL, 0.29 mMol), dimethylamine (1.4 mL, 2M in THF, 2.9 mMol) andsodium cyanoborohydride (108 mg, 1.7 mmol). The reaction was heated atreflux for 2 days. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue wastaken up in 1N sodium hydroxide, saturated with sodium chloride, andextracted with ethyl acetate (4×10 mL). The combined organic layers weredried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. Theresidue was purified on a Shimadzu reverse phase preparative HPLC withthe following conditions: 20×100 mm S5 column, % B gradient from 30-60,gradient time 10 minutes. Mobile phase A was 10% methanol, 90% water,0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Mobile phase B was 90% methanol, 10% water,0.1% trifluoroacetic acid.

EXAMPLE 46 Diastereomer A ( )

[0253] Eluting at 4.3 minutes was (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylamino-ethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilediastereomer A, obtained as a TFA salt (17 mg, 15%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 8.54 (1H, brs), 7.92 (1H, s), 7.44 (2H, s), 7.25 (1H, m), 3.54(1H, brs), 3.46 (1H, m, buried), 3.21 (1H, q, J=6.0 Hz), 2.75 (3H, d,J=4.8 Hz), 2.61 (3H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 2.60 (1H, buried), 1.62-2.30 (6H, m),1.16 (3H, d, J=6.8 Hz); MS m/e 282.3 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 47 Diastereomer B ( )

[0254] Eluting at 5.4 minutes was (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylamino-ethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilediastereomer B, obtained as a TFA salt (18 mg, 16%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 8.88 (1H, brs), 7.88 (1H, s), 7.43 (3H, m), 4.54 (1H, brs),3.41 (1H, m,), 2.98 (1H, q, J=6.0 Hz), 2.74 (3H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 2.55 (3H,d, J=4.8 Hz), 1.50-2.60 (7H, m), 1.31 (3H, d, J=7.1 Hz); MS m/e 282.3(M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 48 AND 49 Chiral HPLC Resolution of Example 46 Diastereomer A of(+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile,Enantiomer A: Example 48 ( ) Enantiomer B: Example 49 ( )

[0255] A sample of 19 mg of racemic (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilediastereomer A was separated into separate enantiomers by chiral HPLC.The column was 10 um Chiralpack AD, 4.6 mm×250 mm. The mobile phase wasan isocratic system composed of 5% ethanol and 95% hexanes containing0.05% diethylamine, and the flow rate was 9.0 mL/min.

EXAMPLE 48 Enantiomer A ( )

[0256] At 9.7 minutes enantiomer A was eluted, yielding 4.7 mg afterevaporation.

EXAMPLE 49 Enantiomer B ( )

[0257] At 12.7 minutes enantiomer B was eluted, yielding 5.4 mg afterevaporation.

EXAMPLE 50 AND 51 (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminopropyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrileDiastereomer A: Example 50 ( ) Diastereomer B: Example 51 ( )

[0258]

[0259] A solution of (+/−)trans-3-(2-propionylcyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (40 mg, 0.15mMol), dimethylamine (0.19 mL, 2M in THF, 0.38 mMol), andtitanium(IV)isopropoxide (64 mg, 0.23 mMol) in ethanol (3 mL) wasstirred for 2 hours at room temperature. Sodium borohydride (6 mg, 0.15mMol) was added and the reaction was stirred a further 2 days. Thereaction was filtered through celite, the solvent was removed in vacuoand the residue was taken up in 1N sodium hydroxide (5 mL), saturatedwith sodium chloride, and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×5 mL). Thecombined organic layers were dried with magnesium sulfate and thesolvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified on a Shimadzu reversephase preparative HPLC with the following conditions: 20×100 mm S5column, % B gradient from 30-60, gradient time 10 minutes. Mobile phaseA was 10% methanol, 90% water, 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Mobile phase Bwas 90% methanol, 10% water, 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid.

EXAMPLE 50 Diastereomer A ( )

[0260] Eluting at 4.3 minutes was (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylamino-propyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilediastereomer A, obtained as a TFA salt (5 mg, 11%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 8.70 (1H, brs), 7.92 (1H, s), 7.44 (2H, s), 7.37 (1H, m), 3.40(1H, q, J=7.5 Hz), 3.11 (1H, m), 2.69 (3H, d, J=4.3 Hz), 2.63 (3H, d,J=4.4 Hz), 2.70 (1H, buried), 1.55-2.40 (8H, m), 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5 Hz);MS m/e 296.2 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 51 Diastereomer B ( )

[0261] Eluting at 5.4 minutes was was (+/−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminopropyl)-cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrilediasteromer B, obtained as a TFA salt (3 mg, 7%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 8.67 (1H, brs), 7.90 (1H, s), 7.43 (3H, m), 3.12 (1H, m,), 3.01(1H, q, J=7.9 Hz), 2.69 (3H, d, J=4.2 Hz), 2.64 (1H, buried), 2.47 (3H,d, J=3.8 Hz), 1.65-2.25 (8H, m), 1.12 (3H, t, J=7.6 Hz); MS m/e 296.2(M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 52(1S,2S)-[2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-dimethylamine

[0262]

[0263] To a room temperature solution of(1S,2S)-2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclo-pentanecarbaldehyde (17.5 g, 51.6mMol) in 200 mL of methanol was added with stirring dimethylamine (64 mLof a 2.0 M solution in THF, 128 mMol) followed by acetic acid (0.5 mL).After 15 min, NaBH(OAc)₃ (12 g, 57 mMol) was added slowly. The resultingmixture was stirred 18 h and was then concentrated under vacuum. Theresidue was partitioned between ethyl acetate (400 mL) and aqueousNaHCO₃ (300 mL). The organic layer was washed twice with aqueous NaHCO₃(250 mL). Every aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL)to make sure no product was left in aqueous. The combined organicextracts were then dried over MgSO₄. Solvent was removed under vacuumand the residue was pump dried overnight to give crude trans[2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-dimethylamine (19.4 g,100%) which was used directly for the next reaction without furtherpurification. An analytical sample was prepared by crystallization fromethyl acetate. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, methanol-d₄) δ 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.30 (d,1H), 7.14 (d, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 2.80 (m, 1H), 2.27 (m, 3H), 2.12 (s,6H), 2.10 (m, 2H), 1.79 (m, 3H), 1.46 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (400 MHz,methanol-d₄), δ 137.6, 131.1, 130.5, 128.9, 123.2, 119.0, 114.6, 82.3,66.2, 46.0, 45.6, 43.4, 35.0, 33.0, 25.2; HRMS (EI), exact mass calc'dfor C₁₆H₂₁IN₂ (M+H) 369.0828, found 369.0836.

EXAMPLE 53 Alternate Procedure for the Preparation of(1S,2S)-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrileWhich is Described as Example 45 ( )

[0264]

[0265] N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (5.66 mL, 53 mMol) was added to amixture of trans[2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-dimethylamine (19.4 g, 53mMol), sodium cyanide (3.1 g, 63 mMol), and copper(I) iodide (1 g, 5.3mMol) in deoxygenated anhydrous toluene (50 mL). The resulting mixturewas heated in an oil bath to 125° C. under N₂ for ˜18 h. The reactionwas cooled to 50° C., diluted with ethyl acetate (400 mL), and heated toreflux for 5 min. The resulting suspension was transferred to aseparatory funnel and washed with aqueous NaHCO₃ (400 mL and twice with200 mL). Every aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) tomake sure no product was left in aqueous layer. The combined organiclayers were dried over MgSO₄. Solvent was removed in vacuo to give thecrude product which was purified by silica gel chromatography usingdichloromethane/2.0 M ammonia in methanol (100/0 to 93/7) as the eluent,to give trans3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (11.7 g,83%). 3-(2-Dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile(11.7 g, 44 mMol) was dissolved in a mixture of methanol (10 mL) andmethylene chloride (50 mL) and treated with HCl/ether (22 mL, 2.0 M) atRT. After stirring for 30 min, the solvent was removed in vacuo and theresidue was sonicated in methanol (−20 mL), cooled, and then filtered togive a white solid which was recrystallized from ethanol to give whitecrystals (7.3 g, 55%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, methanol-d₄) δ 8.04 (s, 1H),7.48 (d, 1H), 7.36 (dd, 2H), 3.15 (t, 1H), 3.04 (m, 2H), 2.78 (s, 6H)2.55 (m, 1H), 2.21 (m, 2H), 1.89 (m, 3H), 1.56 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (400MHz, methanol-d₄), δ 140.4, 128.0, 125.6, 125.5, 125.4, 122.0, 118.7,113.8, 102.5, 63.8, 44.0, 43.6, 43.1, 35.0, 31.7, 24.9. HRMS (EI), exactmass calc'd for C₁₇H₂₁N₃ (M+H) 268.1814, found 268.1811. Anal. Calcd.for C₁₇H₂₁N₃.HCl: C, 67.20; H, 7.29; N, 13.83; Cl, 11.66. Found: C,67.03; H, 7.50; N, 13.78; Cl, 11.53. Chiral HPLC (Chirapak AD column,4.6×250 mm, 101 um, 5% ethanol/95% hexane containing 0.15% DEA, flowrate 1.0 mL/min). Retention time: 13.54 min, 100% ee, [α]²⁰ _(D)=55.180(c=2.8, methanol). Absolute configuration (S, S) was confirmed by singlecrystal X-ray analysis.

EXAMPLE 543-(2-Dimethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0266]

[0267] A solution of3-(2-oxo-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (45 mg, 0.19 mMol),dimethylamine (1.92 mL, 3.78 mMol, 2.0 M/THF), sodium cyanoborohydride(0.12 g, 1.9 mMol) and acetic acid (0.2 mL) in ethanol (10 mL) wasstirred for 16 h. The solution was cooled in an ice-bath and quenchedwith aqueous hydrochloric acid (2 mL, 1 N). The mixture was stirred for5 min and then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodiumbicarbonate (15 mL) and brine (10 mL). The aqueous layer was extractedwith ethyl acetate (3×50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washedwith brine (20 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, andconcentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by silica gelcolumn chromatography using a step gradient of 0.5% MeOH/CHCl₃-30%MeOH/CHCl₃ to give3-(2-dimethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (13.0 mg,26%) as a mixture of diastereomers. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.98(1H, s), 7.50 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.38 (2H, m), 2.89 (1H, m), 2.33 (9H,m), 1.82 (2H, m), 1.57 (2H, m), 1.42 (2H, m); LCMS (Method A: 4.6×50 mmXTERRA C-18 S5 column, 5 mL/min, 0-100% MeOH/H₂O/0.1% TFA, 2 mingradient): T_(r)=1.09 min, m/e 268 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 55 3-(2-Methylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0268]

[0269] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive 3-(2-methylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile as aTFA salt (2.3 mg, 5%). LCMS (Method A) ret. time 0.96 min, m/e 254(M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 56 3-(2-Ethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0270]

[0271] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive 3-(2-ethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile as aTFA salt (104 mg, 43%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D₆) δ 1.19 (t, J=7.21 Hz,3H) 1.51 (m, 6H) 2.04 (m, 1H) 2.29 (m, 1H) 2.92 (m, 2H) 3.06 (m, 2H)7.42 (m, 2H) 7.52 (m, 1H) 8.17 (dd, J=12.23, 1.47 Hz, 1H) 8.40 (m, 2H);LCMS (Method A) ret. time 0.96 min, m/e 268 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 57 3-(2-Diethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0272]

[0273] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive 3-(2-diethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile wasgave as a TFA salt (34 mg, 13%). LCMS (Method A) ret. time 0.92 min, m/e296 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 583-[2-(Ethyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0274]

[0275] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive3-[2-(ethyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile asa TFA salt (152 mg, 61%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D₆) δ 1.31 (m, 7H) 2.00(m, 3H) 2.63 (m, 4H) 3.18 (m, 4H) 7.47 (m, 3H) 8.11 (s, 1H) 9.13 (m,1H); LCMS (Method A) ret. time 0.87 min, m/e 282 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 593-(2-Pyrrolidin-1-yl-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0276]

[0277] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive 3-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile asa TFA salt (81 mg, 32%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D₆) δ 1.41 (m, 2H) 1.59(m, 1H) 2.01 (m, 6H) 2.52 (m, 3H) 2.84 (d, J=12.96 Hz, 1H) 3.17 (m, 1H)3.34 (m, 1H) 3.59 (m, 2H) 3.94 (m, 1H) 7.46 (m, 3H) 8.11 (s, 1H) 9.49(br s, 1H); LCMS (Method A) ret. time 0.89 min, m/e 294 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 603-[2-(Benzyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile

[0278]

[0279] This compound was synthesized in the same manner as describedabove Example 54. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC togive3-[2-(benzyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrileas a TFA salt (202 mg, 70%). LCMS (Method A) ret. time 1.13 min, m/e 344(M+H)⁺.

Serotonin Transporter Binding Assay

[0280] HEK-293 cells that stably express human serotonin transporters(HEK-hSERT cells) were grown at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ as a monolayer inmedium consisting of EMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum andG418 sulfate (500 μg/mL). To prepare membranes for radioligand bindingexperiments, cells were rinsed twice with phosphate-buffered saline (138mM NaCl, 4.1 mM KCl, 5.1 mM Na₂PO₄, 1.5 mM KH₂O₄, 11.1 mM glucose, pH7.4). Cells were transferred from plates to polypropylene tubes (16×100mm), centrifuged at 1,200×g for 5 min and were frozen at −80° C. untilassay. Following centrifugation, pellets were resuspended byhomogenization in buffer consisting of 50 mM Tris (pH 7.7 at 25° C.),120 mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl and then centrifuged at 32,000×g for 10 min.Following centrifugation, supernatants were discarded and pellets wereresuspended in buffer consisting of 50 mM Tris (pH 7.4 at 25° C.), 150mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl. Membrane homogenates (200 μl/plate) were incubatedwith 1 nM [³H]-citalopram (specific activity=85 Ci/mMol) and increasingconcentrations of test compounds for 1 hr at 25° C. in a total volume of250 μl. The assay buffer consisted of 50 mM Tris (pH 7.4 at 25° C.), 120mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl (pH 7.4 with conc. HCl). Plates were incubated for1 hr at 25° C., then filtered through 0.5% PEI treated Whatman GF/Bfilters using a Brandel cell harvester. Filters were washed three timeswith 3 mL of ice-cold tris wash buffer. Non-specific binding was definedwith 10 μM fluoxetine. Amount of radioligand bound in the presence andabsence of competitor was analyzed by plotting (−)log drug concentrationversus the amount of radioligand specifically bound. The midpoint of thedisplacement curve (IC₅₀, nM), signifies the potency. K_(i) values werecalculated using the method of Cheng and Prusoff (1973).

Norepinephrine Transporter Binding Assay

[0281] MDCK cells that stably express human norepinephrine transporters(HEK-hNET cells) were supplied by Receptor Biology, Inc. Pellets wereresuspended by homogenization in buffer consisting of 50 mM Tris (pH 7.4at 25° C.), 120 mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl. Membrane homogenates (200 μl/well,8 ug protein) were incubated with 2.7 nM [³H]-nisoxetine (specificactivity=80 Ci/mMol) and increasing concentrations of test compounds for1 hr at 4° C. in a total volume of 250 P1. The assay buffer consisted of50 mM Tris (pH 7.4 at 25° C.), 120 mM NaCl and 5 mM KCl (pH 7.4 withconc. HCl). Plates were incubated for 1 hr at 4° C., then filteredthrough 0.5% PEI treated Whatman GF/B filters using a Brandel cellharvester. Filters were washed three times with 3 mL of ice-cold triswash buffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 10 μM desipramine.Amount of radioligand bound in the presence and absence of competitorwas analyzed by plotting (−)log drug concentration versus the amount ofradioligand specifically bound. The midpoint of the displacement curve(IC₅₀, nM), signifies the potency. K_(i) values were calculated usingthe method of Cheng and Prusoff (1973).

[0282] Compounds of the present invention demonstrate SERT binding andmay be useful for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders,premature ejaculation, chronic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder,feeding disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and panic disorders.Moreover, particular compounds of Formula (I) demonstrate nonorepinephrine reuptake inhibition, and therefore should have a reducedprobability of any cardiovascular liabilities associated withnorepinephrine reuptake inhibition.

[0283] In the Table 1 below, binding results are denoted as follows:

[0284] A: Ki<1 nM;

[0285] B: 1 nM<Ki<10 nM;

[0286] C: 10 nM<Ki<100 nM;

[0287] D: 100 nM<Ki<500 nM

[0288] E: 500 nM<Ki<1000 nM

[0289] F: Ki>1000 nM TABLE 1 5-HT and NE reuptake data for Compounds ofFormula 1. 5-HT reuptake NE reuptake binding Ki binding Ki EXAMPLESTRUCTURE NAME (nM) (nM) 25

Trans-3-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5- carbonitrileA F 26

Trans-3-(2- Methylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5- carbonitrile BF 27

Trans-3-(2- Ethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5- carbonitrile C F28

Trans-3-(2- Diethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5- carbonitrile DF 29

Trans-3-{2-[(Ethyl-methyl- amino)-methyl]- cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile B F 30

Trans-3-(2-Pyrrolindin-1- ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile B F 31

Trans-3-{2-[(Benzyl- methyl-amino)-methyl]- cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile C F 32

Trans-3-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile B F 33

Trans-3-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile B F 34

Trans-5-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrileB F 35

Trans-5-(2- Methylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrile BF 36

Trans-5-(2-Pyrrolidin-1- ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H- indole-3-carbonitrileD F 37

Trans-5-(2- Ethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrile D F38

Trans-5-{2-[(Ethyl-methyl- amino)-methyl]- cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile D F 39

Trans-5-(2- Diethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrile DF 40

Trans-5-{2-[(Benzyl- methyl-amino)-methyl]- cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile C F 41

Trans-5-(2- dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile D F 42

cis-5-(2- Methylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrile C D43

cis-5-(2- dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3- carbonitrile BNOT TESTED 44

(1R, 2R)-3-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (enantiomer A) C F 45

(1S, 2S)-3-(2- Dimethylaminomethyl- cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile (enantiomerB) A F 46

(+/−) trans-3-[2-(1- dimethylaminoethyl)cyclope ntyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile, diastereomer A A F 47

(+/−) trans-3-[2-(1- dimethylaminoethyl)cyclope ntyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile, diastereomer B B NOT TESTED 48

Enantiomer A of Example 46 C NOT TESTED 49

Enantiomer B of Example 46 A NOT TESTED 50

(+/−) trans-3-[2-(1- dimethylaminopropyl)cyclop entyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile, diastereomer A C NOT TESTED 51

(+/−) trans-3-[2-(1- dimethylaminopropyl)cyclop entyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile, diastereomer B D NOT TESTED 52

(1S, 2S)-[2-(5-iodo-1H- indol-3-yl)- cyclopentylmethyl]- dimethylamine CNOT TESTED 54

3-(2-Dimethylamino- cyclopentylmethyl)-1H- indole-5-carbonitrile B NOTTESTED 55

3-(2-Methylamino- cyclopentylmethyl)-1H- indole-5-carbonitrile B NOTTESTED 56

3-(2-Ethylamino- cyclopentylmethyl)-1H- indole-5-carbonitrile B NOTTESTED 57

3-(2-Diethylamino- cyclopentylmethyl)-1H- indole-5-carbonitrile C NOTTESTED 58

3-[2-(Ethyl-methyl-amino)- cyclopentylmethyl]-1H- indole-5-carbonitrileB NOT TESTED 59

3-(2-Pyrrolidin-1-yl- cyclopentylmethyl)-1H- indole-5-carbonitrile B NOTTESTED 60

3-[2-(Benzyl-methyl- amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]- 1H-indole-5-carbonitrileC NOT TESTED

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of Formula (I)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof wherein A¹ andA² are each independently C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond; A³ is a bond,C₁₋₄alkylene or C₁₋₄alkylidene; A⁴ is C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond and isattached to X, X¹ or X²; X, X¹, X² and X³ are independently C or CH; Jis C₁₋₄alkyl; p is 0 or 1; R¹ and R² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl,C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl orC₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O—; said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl beingindependently and optionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,indolyl or halo; wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by haloor cyano; or are independently selected from the group of heterocyclicmoieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein saidheterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano; or wherein -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² together with thenitrogen to which they are attached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl or tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionallysubstituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl; R³ is Hor C₁₋₄alkyl; m is 0 or l; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, cyano,halo, nitro, C₁₋₃alkyl or C₁₋₃perfluoroalkyl; wherein said R⁴ or R⁵ maybe independently attached to G¹, X, X¹, X² or X³; n is 0 or 1; G is N, Oor S; G¹ is N, C or CH; Y is (D)H wherein D is C; and Z is (E)H whereinE is C; provided that both R⁴ and R⁵ are not attached to the same ofsaid G¹, X, X¹, X² or X³; if G is O or S, then m is 0; if G is N, then mis 1; if R¹ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl being independentlyand optionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy, indolyl or halo;wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by halo or cyano, then R₂is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if R₂ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl or O-phenyl beingindependently and optionally substituted with C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy,indolyl or halo; wherein said indolyl is optionally substituted by haloor cyano, then R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if -A¹-R¹ and -A¹-R together withthe nitrogen to which they are attached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl or tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionallysubstituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl, then p is0; if R¹ is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or saidheterocyclic moiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogenatom and said nitrogen atom is attached to A¹, then A¹ is C₂₋₄alkylene;if R² is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or said heterocyclicmoiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogen atom andsaid nitrogen atom is attached to A², then A² is C₂₋₄alkylene; if R¹ isN(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or a heterocyclic moietyselected from the group consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, then R is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if R² is—N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or a heterocyclic moietyselected from the group consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, then R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if R⁴ or R⁵are attached to G¹, then G¹ is C; if A⁴, R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X,then X is C; if A⁴, R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X¹, then X¹ is C; if A⁴, R⁴or R⁵ are attached to X², then X² is C; if R⁴ or R⁵ are attached to X³,then X³ is C.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein p is O.
 3. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein G is N and G0 is CH.
 4. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein G is S and G¹ is CH.
 5. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein G is N and G¹ is N.
 6. A compound accordingto claim 1 wherein G is S and G¹ is N.
 7. A compound according to claim1 wherein G is S and G¹ is N.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 whereinR¹ is methyl and R² is methyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 1wherein R¹ is H and R² is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl wherein said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl issubstituted with indolyl and wherein said indolyl is optionallysubstituted by halo or cyano.
 10. A compound according to claim 1wherein A¹ is a bond, R¹ is methyl, A² is a bond and R² is methyl.
 11. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein R³ is H and m is
 1. 12. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R³ is methyl and m is
 1. 13. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are halo.
 14. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₃alkyl and is attached to G¹. 15.A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₃perfluoroalkyl and isattached to G¹.
 16. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ ishydrogen.
 17. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is fluoro. 18.A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is cyano.
 19. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each fluoro.
 20. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein the hydrogen atom attached to D is in thetrans configuration to the hydrogen atom attached to E.
 21. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein the hydrogen atom attached to D is in thecis configuration to the hydrogen atom attached to E.
 22. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein D in relation to the four moieties to whichit is attached has an absolute configuration of S; E in relation to thefour moieties to which it is attached has an absolute configuration ofS.
 23. A compound according to claim 1 wherein D in relation to the fourmoieties to which it is attached has an absolute configuration of S; Ein relation to the four moieties to which it is attached has an absoluteconfiguration of R.
 24. A compound according to claim 1 wherein D inrelation to the four moieties to which it is attached has an absoluteconfiguration of R; E in relation to the four moieties to which it isattached has an absolute configuration of S.
 25. A compound according toclaim 1 wherein D in relation to the four moieties to which it isattached has an absolute configuration of R; E in relation to the fourmoieties to which it is attached has an absolute configuration of R. 26.A compound according to claim 1 wherein A³ is C₁₋₄alkylene.
 27. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein A³ is C₁₋₄alkylidene.
 28. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein A³ is methylene.
 29. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein A³ is a bond.
 30. A compound according toclaim 1 wherein A⁴ is a bond.
 31. A compound according to claim 1wherein A⁴ is methylene.
 32. A compound according to claim 1 wherein A⁴is attached X¹.
 33. A compound according to claim 1 wherein A⁴ isattached X.
 34. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is attachedX.
 35. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is attached X¹.
 36. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein R⁴ is cyano or halo and n is 0.37. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is independently selectedfrom the group of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl,pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,isoindolyl, indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl, wherein said heterocyclic moieties areoptionally substituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano; A¹ isC₁₋₄alkylene; R² is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A² is a bond.
 38. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R¹ is independently selected from the groupof heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl,tetrahydroquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl; A¹ is C₁₋₄alkylene; R²is H or C₁₋₃alkylene; and A² is a bond.
 39. A compound according toclaim 1 wherein R² is independently selected from the group ofheterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano; A² is C₁₋₄alkylene; R¹ is H orC₁₋₃alkylene; and A¹ is a bond.
 40. A compound according to claim 1wherein R² is independently selected from the group of heterocyclicmoieties consisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl; A² is C₁₋₄alkylene; R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkylene;and A¹ is a bond.
 41. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R²are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or—N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.
 42. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ andR² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, or —N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl.
 43. Acompound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are independently H,C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, or —O-phenyl.
 44. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are independently H, C₁₋₃alkyl,or are independently selected from the group of heterocyclic moietiesconsisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl,morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl.
 45. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R²is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or—N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.
 46. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R² isH or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹ is N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl.
 47. A compound accordingto claim 1 wherein R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R¹ is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenylor —O-phenyl.
 48. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R² is H orC₁₋₃alkyl and R¹ is selected from the group of heterocyclic moietiesconsisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl,morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl.
 49. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R² is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl, or—N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.
 50. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ isH or C₁₋₃alkyl and R² is N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl.
 51. A compound accordingto claim 1 wherein R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl and R² is C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenylor —O-phenyl.
 52. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R¹ is H orC₁₋₃alkyl and R² is selected from the group of heterocyclic moietiesconsisting of thienyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl,morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl andtetrahydroisoquinolinyl.
 53. A compound according to claim 1 wherein-A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² together with the nitrogen to which they are attachedform pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino,tetrahydroquinolinyl or tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionallysubstituted with benzyl.
 54. A compound according to claim 1 wherein A¹and A² are each independently C₁₋₄alkylene or a bond; A³ isC₁₋₄alkylene; A⁴ is bond and is attached to X or X¹; X and X¹ are eachindependently C or CH; X² and X³ are each CH; p is 0; R¹ and R² areindependently H, C₁₋₃alkyl, C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, phenyl, —O-phenyl,—N(H)C(O)O—C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O—; said C₃₋₆cycloalkyl,phenyl or O-phenyl being independently and optionally substituted withC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkoxy or halo;  or are independently selected from thegroup of heterocyclic moieties consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano;  or wherein -A¹-R¹ and -A²-R² togetherwith the nitrogen to which they are attached form pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl,pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholino, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl,quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,dihydroisoquinolinyl or tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and are optionallysubstituted with halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy, cyano or benzyl; R³ is Hor C₁₋₄alkyl; m is 1; R⁴ is hydrogen, cyano, halo, nitro, C₁₋₃alkyl orC₁₋₃perfluoroalkyl and is attached to X or X¹; n is 0; G is N; G¹ is CH;Y is (D)H wherein D is C; and Z is (E)H wherein E is C; provided that ifR¹ is —N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or said heterocyclicmoiety wherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogen atom andsaid nitrogen atom is attached to A¹, then A¹ is C₂₋₄alkylene; if R² is—N(H)C(O)OC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or said heterocyclic moietywherein said heterocyclic moiety contains a nitrogen atom and saidnitrogen atom is attached to A², then A² is C₂₋₄alkylene; if R¹ isN(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or a heterocyclic moietyselected from the group consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, then R² is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if R² is—N(H)C(O)O-C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkyl-N(H)C(O)O— or a heterocyclic moietyselected from the group consisting of thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, adamantyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,indolinyl, quinolinyl, dihydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, dihydroisoquinolinyl and tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, whereinsaid heterocyclic moieties are optionally substituted with halo,C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or cyano, then R¹ is H or C₁₋₃alkyl; if A⁴ or R⁴are attached to X, then X is C; if A⁴ or R⁴ are attached to X¹, then X¹is C.
 55. A pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprising acompound according to claim
 1. 56. A method of treating depression,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders and sexualdysfunction comprising the administration to a human in need thereof aneffective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprisinga compound according to claim
 1. 57. A method of treating sexualdysfunction comprising the administration to a human in need thereof aneffective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprisinga compound according to claim
 1. 58. A method of treating prematureejaculation comprising the administration to a human in need thereof aneffective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation comprisinga compound according to claim
 1. 59. A compound or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or solvate thereof selected from the group consisting oftrans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-pyrrolindin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-ethyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-ethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-{2-[(ethyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-diethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-{2-[(benzyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-cyclopentyl}-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;trans-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;cis-5-(2-methylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;cis-5-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile;(1R,2R)-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(1S,2S)-3-(2-dimethylaminomethyl-cyclopentyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(+)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(+)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminopropyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(−)trans-3-[2-(1−dimethylaminopropyl)cyclopentyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;(1S,2S)-[2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-cyclopentylmethyl]-dimethylamine;3-(2-dimethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;3-(2-methylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;3-(2-ethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;3-(2-diethylamino-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;3-[2-(ethyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile;3-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-cyclopentylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile; and3-[2-(benzyl-methyl-amino)-cyclopentylmethyl]-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile.